President's Comments
I greet you with the hope of Spring which lies ahead as the new year unfolds. The challenge of closing out a century of change is diminished only by the opportunity of beginning a new century in a global economy, in which a regional company is free to stretch itself and grow into the national and international marketplace, no longer restricted by the physical boundaries which tend to limit one’s imagination. I want to tell you of the excitement I feel at having found a partnership which will bring Guilford Rail’s capabilities to a network of potentially new customers while, at the same time, enhance the variety of services we can offer our long-standing customer friends.
On January 12, 1999 Guilford Rail signed a joint agreement with Kellaway Intermodal & Distribution Systems, Inc. whereby Kellaway will become the U. S. Customs terminal provider for Guilford Rail at the Devens Commerce Center. The closing of the Devens military facility presented Guilford with a prime opportunity to develop a transportation center geographically suitable for all of New England. With the rapid growth of intermodal traffic expected to continue, there appears to be every reason to explore all of the potential at Devens, given the rail access to the four major Eastern carriers and the access to the interstate highway system. With the Kellaway organization as our partner, I fully expect that we will secure domestic as well as international container traffic via steamship lines and railroad connections in significant volume, which is not a part of the present traffic picture. The warehouse capability at Devens only enhances this potential, and encourages the development of the “forward positioning” of product. We joined with the Kellaway people in kicking off this partnership on February 11 at Devens.
We have come through a major part of the Winter season without major incident, although we have had to deal with considerable snow, ice and rain. Our traffic flow was impacted in January as Winter storms ravaged the Midwest and slowed the railroads down. I am concerned with the public’s indifference toward the dangers inherent in ignoring the railroad’s warnings. We have aggressively participated in Operation Lifesaver programs throughout our region, and will continue to do so. Yet, we continue to experience reckless driving of motor vehicles at grade crossings, pedestrian trespassing along the tracks - even young children playing on the track - and, that dreadful Winter phenomenon, the occupancy of our rights-of-way by snowmobilers. If any of these people were to be in the position of the locomotive engineer when he must decide, with a trespasser present, whether to risk the train and its crew by applying the brakes in emergency or to wait to see if the trespasser gets out of the way, these people would have plenty of respect for the “NO TRESPASSING” signs ever after. We must continue our efforts to educate the public!
Finally, I would ask each and all of you to continue to be vigilant as you move about, at home or at work, under Winter weather conditions. Ice is always lurking about, and one slip can have horrible consequences. If heavy snows should pile up, extra care must be used, when walking or driving, to see what may be coming. Proper footwear is a must, and common sense can be one’s best friend.
Tom Steiniger